Cancer battler on the catwalk
8:45am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News
AN inspirational mother-of-two took to the catwalk at an event which had given her hope when she attended as a guest 12 months ago.
Breast Cancer Care holds an annual star-studded fashion show in London featuring people who have battled the illness as models.
Theresa Buckley, aged 54, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer after her second routine mammogram, in April, 2011, despite having no family history of the illness.
Last year’s show helped Mrs Buckley see there was light at the end of the tunnel, at a time she was undergoing gruelling chemotherapy, had lost her hair and nails, saw her weight plummet and had a mastectomy.
Earlier this month, she was one of 24 men and women who took part in the show in London, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.
Mrs Buckley, a private banking manager at the Bolton town centre branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “It was fabulous — very uplifting.
“I would say to anybody, if they are going through it and want to do it next year, if they go online on Breast Cancer Care and look at the show. It was just phenomenal.”
Mrs Buckley, of Owlerbarrow Road, Bury, was joined by family, including sons Ross, aged 22, Ryan, aged 26, and husband Jeff, as well as friends and colleagues for the event at the Grosvenor House hotel. Ross said: “It was unbelievable to be honest, especially because we were right at the front.
“She looked really nice, it was great.”
Celebrities who attended included Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, DJ Edith Bowman, broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, actress Barbara Windsor, singer Joe McElderry, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and singer Alexandra Burke.
The 24-year-old, who shot to fame on The X Factor, said: “The Breast Cancer Care fashion show left me speechless.
“The men and women who conquered the catwalk and proved there is life after a breast cancer diagnosis are so inspirational.”
Last year Breast Cancer Care raised about £400,000 at the London fashion show.
To watch action from the show, tune into QVC’s Be Aware Show You Care programme tonight from 6pm.
